What strategies can be implemented to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs)?

Preoperative skin antisepsis and maintaining normothermia are critical strategies for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs). Proper skin antisepsis involves disinfecting the surgical site before the procedure, which significantly reduces the number of microorganisms present on the skin and minimizes the risk of contamination during surgery. This process is essential in creating a sterile environment and protecting the incision from potential infection.

Maintaining normothermia, or keeping the patient’s body temperature within a normal range during surgery, is equally important. Hypothermia can impair immune response and increase the likelihood of SSIs. When a patient’s temperature drops, it can also affect wound healing and increase metabolic demand, further complicating recovery.

These two strategies, therefore, are foundational elements of infection prevention protocols and directly target the mechanisms through which infections can occur during surgical procedures. Effective implementation contributes significantly to improved patient outcomes and reduced SSI rates in healthcare settings.